posted 02-15-2013 12:18 AM
Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin is coming to Astronaut Central, back to Tucson because he won't be at Spacefest. He is 83 now, and slowing down his hectic schedule by eliminating grueling autograph shows. But he will be signing your mailed-in items in early April 2013.

Early bird 5% discount, if order received by March 13. Deadline for receiving all orders is March 22.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 02-15-2013 03:37 AM
How can a crew completion have Armstrong's autograph only?

JasonIUPMember

Posts: 161From: PARegistered: Apr 2004

posted 02-15-2013 05:32 AM
They charge a completion fee on an Armstrong-signed item because, as long as it's something you could reasonably add Collins to, they (Buzz's team) expect you to do it.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 02-15-2013 06:45 AM
So it's not technically correct then is it!

JasonBMember

Posts: 645From: Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-15-2013 09:50 AM
I think Aldrin was charging $1500 to sign anything with Armstrong on it at the ASF show in November, so at least its cheaper than that. I'd rather him be signing than not, but we're starting to get into the price range of ridiculousness.

DChudwinMember

Posts: 972From: Lincolnshire IL USARegistered: Aug 2000

posted 02-15-2013 09:31 PM
Wow! $500 base fee. While Col. Aldrin certainly has the right to charge whatever he can get, I am happy I had him sign some items like an Apollo 11 flight plan and lunar orbit map when his fee was only $100.

Buzz has signed tens of thousands of autographs so that his autograph is available at auction or on-line for much less than $500. Of course, if someone has a special item then the $500 might be worth it. I am happy that he is still signing rather than stopping completely.

mjanovecMember

Posts: 3593From: Midwest, USARegistered: Jul 2005

posted 02-16-2013 05:06 PM

quote:Originally posted by JasonB:I think Aldrin was charging $1500 to sign anything with Armstrong on it at the ASF show in November, so at least its cheaper than that.

No, it's the same. The Astronaut Central fees are $500 for the base fee PLUS $1000 for the completion fee. That's $1500 total.

quote:Originally posted by JasonB:I'd rather him be signing than not, but we're starting to get into the price range of ridiculousness.

Personally, I'd rather he retire from signing than charge these sky high fees. Anybody outside this hobby will look at Buzz's current signing fee and make one conclusion: He's being greedy.

For the sake of his own reputation, I think he would do himself a greater service by retiring from signing altogether.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 27328From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 02-16-2013 05:23 PM
There's no winning position here. When Neil Armstrong didn't sign, not even for charity, he was considered selfish. When he refused the red carpet, he was labeled a recluse. It didn't matter that neither charges were true.

The fact is Aldrin continues to command a line for his autograph — a line longer in some cases than other astronauts whose signing fees are less. No one is being forced to pay for his autograph. If they believe it is too much to pay, there are plenty of alternatives, including buying a signed item off the secondary market.

Those who choose to judge Aldrin (or anyone for that matter) based solely on what he charges for his autograph are also choosing to ignore everything else he does in life. They aren't a very good judge of character, and so their opinion is flawed.

mjanovecMember

Posts: 3593From: Midwest, USARegistered: Jul 2005

posted 02-16-2013 05:42 PM

quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:Those who choose to judge Aldrin (or anyone for that matter) based solely on what he charges for his autograph are also choosing to ignore everything else he does in life.

I don't disagree with this point, but certainly you're aware that a person's reputation is not always based on the sum total of one's accomplishments. One ill-considered action or behavior can do considerable damage to one's reputation, even after a lifetime of positive contributions.

I argue that charging these fees for his autograph can only do more damage than good to his reputation.

rgarnerMember

Posts: 261From: Liverpool, United KingdomRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 02-16-2013 06:02 PM
I personally disagree with charging large amounts for an autograph (unless proceeds go to charity), but then I haven't had to spend the last 50 years with every Tom, Dick and Harry asking for my autograph. It would get tiresome after the first year I think. You can't blame Armstrong for not wanting that kind of attention.

I think the term ''each to their own'' comes to mind here.

JasonIUPMember

Posts: 161From: PARegistered: Apr 2004

posted 02-16-2013 07:13 PM
One interesting side-topic of what I believe will be Buzz's new way of things (private, not public signings) is this: Even at the same price levels as a public signing, what will the response be? I think a number of people pay his fee since part of the deal is meeting him, watching him sign your stuff, and probably a handshake and photo with him. I believe the response will be down somewhat. If I'm right, maybe he'll do Spacefest after all. Two weeks ago, he said he was 50/50 on it.

MCroft04Member

Posts: 1219From: Smithfield, Me, USARegistered: Mar 2005

posted 02-16-2013 08:38 PM
I'm reminded of the song by the Eagles; Get Over it. I paid $150 for my first Buzz autograph, and then $450 for the last one. Nobody twisted my arm. But I also have a few Buzz autographs in books that cost me no more than the price of the book.

If I had the opportunity, I'd pay more for a Buzz autograph than a Columbus, Lewis, or Magellan autograph. And what Buzz did, in my opinion outweighs what those guys did.

I sat with Buzz at dinner at one of the ASF shows several years ago, and Lois had to physically pull him by the arm to get him away from me. In my opinion, Buzz is an icon. No matter what he is now charging for an autograph, he is an American hero! I am privileged to have met the man.

mjanovecMember

Posts: 3593From: Midwest, USARegistered: Jul 2005

posted 02-17-2013 03:28 AM
Sorry, I've never been much of an Eagles fan.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 02-17-2013 03:37 AM
I agree it's personal choice, you either pay up or shut up I suppose. But don't forget John Glenn is also an American Icon, and how much does he charge?

gliderpilotukMember

Posts: 3043From: London, UKRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 02-17-2013 09:31 AM

quote:Originally posted by MCroft04:If I had the opportunity, I'd pay more for a Buzz autograph than a Columbus, Lewis, or Magellan autograph. And what Buzz did, in my opinion outweighs what those guys did.

In that case your mind is definitely "Tiffany-twisted", with a definite case of "the Mercedes bends".

GACspaceguyMember

Posts: 1394From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006

posted 02-17-2013 11:14 AM
This was a posting on cS in 2005:

When I first heard about this I was just simply amazed! John Young signing autographs?! And to one's specifications?!Wow!!!

Yeah, $500 is a lot, but when you consider just how many times he's been hassled, begged and asked for an autograph... just try and pro-rate that out!

It is now some 8 years later and Buzz has finally caught up.

Yep, it is a lot of money and you do not have to pay it, simple. At least you can get a Buzz signature for around $50 if you pick up one of his fictional books he has authored. That can't be said for some astronauts.

FlyBuzz11Member

Posts: 11From: Fort Worth, TexasRegistered: Nov 2012

posted 02-17-2013 11:20 AM
I'm in! I had the honor of meeting him 15 years ago at DFW airport. I have four books and three pictures. I can't stop. LOL. Thanks Kim Poor for yet another opportunity and probably the last.

Rob JoynerMember

Posts: 1292From: GA, USARegistered: Jan 2004

posted 02-17-2013 12:46 PM

quote:Originally posted by Tykeanaut:I agree it's personal choice, you either pay up or shut up I suppose. But don't forget John Glenn is also an American Icon, and how much does he charge?

Exactly. And if he did start all of a sudden start charging, I could imagine hearing:

"What?! $50?! He used to sign for free! I'd pay $10, but $50 is just ridiculous!"

mjanovecMember

Posts: 3593From: Midwest, USARegistered: Jul 2005

posted 02-17-2013 02:10 PM
You missed the point: Glenn will never charge. He'd rather stop signing altogether than charge a fee.

Just like Armstrong.

alanh_7Member

Posts: 889From: Ajax, Ontario, CanadaRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 02-17-2013 02:13 PM
Uh oh, another Buzz debate. But I will weigh in. There is only so much I will pay for anything. And his fees are more than I am willing to pay.

That being said there are people that will and that's their right just as it is his right to charge as he sees fit and what he thinks he can get.

It happens all the time with national icons.

Since Mel used lyrics earlier so will I from the Simon and Garfunkle classic "Mrs Robinson": "Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio... Joltin Joe has left and gone away."

And where did he go? He went on tv hustling coffee makers.

gliderpilotukMember

Posts: 3043From: London, UKRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 02-17-2013 02:39 PM
Trouble is that those who won't have a bad word said about a "hero's" fees just trot out the "don't buy it if you don't like it" mantra to stifle any contra-opinion.

It's analogous to the simplistic "if you're not with us, you're against us" platitude.

RonpurMember

Posts: 211From: Brandon, FlRegistered: May 2012

posted 02-17-2013 02:52 PM
I am glad I got his autograph back at the 1999 GI Joe Convention in Washington DC. The autograph was free to all paid convention members. I had him sign this wooded art crew portrait that my mom had bought for me in 1969 or 70. We handed off our objects to be signed to his handlers and we got it back after he signed it. No contact and no personalized signings, but still, really cool. He was also the speaker at ours awards dinner that night. He was there to promote the GI Joe Buzz Aldrin astronaut action figure.

SpacefestMember

Posts: 1056From: Tucson, AZ USARegistered: Jan 2009

posted 02-17-2013 03:34 PM
Folks, Buzz is tired of autographing. He said he is retiring from autograph shows. Consider:

Lois gets half his earnings now.

His fee is $600, not $500 (that's only for us.)

All the vendors at Spacefest wanted to be "by Buzz" because he always draws a crowd of high rollers.

We've already received a ton of Buzz stuff already.

He has always been ours (and KSC's) best seller.

Disparage him or his price all you want. You're in an insignificant minority.

Robert PearlmanEditor

Posts: 27328From: Houston, TXRegistered: Nov 1999

posted 02-17-2013 03:35 PM

quote:Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:It's analogous to the simplistic "if you're not with us, you're against us" platitude.

Actually, it's not. This isn't a situation where it's "our way or the highway," as alternatives do exist.

As has been pointed out numerous times, if you want an autograph and don't wish to pay the astronaut's requested fee, there is the secondary market where lower priced, signed items are available.

Again, this is a no win situation. When I was assisting Buzz with his autograph appearances and signings, I worked with him to lower his fees on a few types of items.

The response to that effort, sadly, was to see more than a few people buy the lower priced items and then, nearly immediately, resell them at a marked-up price.

Astronauts will charge what they may. Collectors will decide whether to pay or not, or buy elsewhere — and they will decide whether to resell at whatever price they deem fit. Supply and demand will decide the rest.

JasonIUPMember

Posts: 161From: PARegistered: Apr 2004

posted 02-17-2013 04:15 PM
I think we can all agree on one thing: thanks to Kim and Sally for bringing Buzz and others, like John Young, to shows or private signings. People either will or will not pay, but at least we have the chance to decide.

Even though prices seem high, if you need something signed by him that isn't available elsewhere, at 83 years old, now is the time. You can always go out and make more money.

davidcwagnerMember

Posts: 519From: Albuquerque, New MexicoRegistered: Jan 2003

posted 02-17-2013 04:24 PM
Agree with Spacefest above.

Buzz has always been very gracious to me at shows. At a 2001 space conference he graciously signed items for free. He did refuse betas, covers, and one guy that plunked down two dozen items.

He was very patient with children and us older children (so-called adults) at the 2001 conference.

JasonBMember

Posts: 645From: Registered: Sep 2003

posted 02-17-2013 05:48 PM
There is a point where the price asked is too high, but to me there is no question that is far better for someone like Aldrin to still be signing than to pull an Armstrong and stop all together. I'm an adult. I want options so I can then make up my own mind and get things signed the way I want.

That last part is most important. I don't want everything personalized to me and I don't want to hear people complain about a market they create by not signing. At least Aldrin still gives people options. Yes he's too expensive but its far better than him not signing.

MCroft04Member

Posts: 1219From: Smithfield, Me, USARegistered: Mar 2005

posted 02-17-2013 09:32 PM

quote:Originally posted by gliderpilotuk: In that case your mind is definitely "Tiffany-twisted", with a definite case of "the Mercedes bends".

Good one Paul. Hope to see you at an ASF show soon!

Daugherty54Member

Posts: 269From: Cabot, Arkansas, USARegistered: Sep 2010

posted 02-17-2013 10:42 PM
After my one and only meeting the Buzz Aldrin at Spacefest in San Diego, I wouldn't walk across the road to get a free autograph from him. With that said, and as others have posted, at least we have the option to get things signed and meet our icons from Apollo. I would have given anything to have met Neil Armstrong and had an autograph. It's forever too late. At least with Buzz we still have that option. Who knows, if I had spent 40+ years with folks making money off everything about me I might be just the same as he was. I know I appreciate Spacefest because I have met virtually every Apollo astronaut there was - and I would have NEVER had that opportunity otherwise. SO I guess thanks to Buzz and Kim and co. for making the opportunity availalble.

cycleroadieMember

Posts: 241From: Apalachin, NY USARegistered: May 2011

posted 02-18-2013 06:50 AM
I agree on being thankful for the opportunity to get an autograph at all from any astronaut. And thanks to Kim for providing this opportunity. I will chime in on his fee, he was $400 at ASF in November, now he is $500, or $600, that's a very big increase both in number of dollars and the percentage of increase, I know my salary didn't go up 25% or more in the last few months.

garymilgromMember

Posts: 1571From: Atlanta, GA, USARegistered: Feb 2007

posted 02-18-2013 07:33 AM
Buzz is a great man. Period, full stop. His service to this country and to others through his books are legendary. To compalain about the price for an autograph in his presence is to overlook the opportunity it presents. Too high? You have options. Thanks to Novaspace for continuing to make the "in person" option one of those.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1624From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 02-18-2013 08:00 AM
It's just interesting to see other people's opinions on the subject.

jimszMember

Posts: 530From: Registered: Aug 2006

posted 02-18-2013 08:23 AM
Mr Aldrin's prices are ridiculously high in my opinion but he can charge what he wants.

If his wants to earn a specific amount of money he can sign a lot of autographs or he can sign fewer. Let the market decide.

I don't care if half goes to his ex wife, the handlers or he stashes it in the basement. It's none of my business and I really don't care. At his age he can do what he wants the way he wants, anyone in their 80's has earned that.

GlintMember

Posts: 747From: New Windsor, Maryland USARegistered: Jan 2004

posted 02-18-2013 10:12 AM

quote:Originally posted by Rob Joyner: I could imagine hearing: "What?! $50?! He used to sign for free! I'd pay $10, but $50 is just ridiculous!"

A friend who had met Buzz on a cruise ship in 1991, where he was signing copies of "Men From Earth," expressed outrage that Aldrin was charging just that: A premium of $10 per signature, in addition to the cost of the book. That was 20+ years ago.

Ah, the good old days. But then again, just three years ago, Buzz was freely signing copies of "Magnificent Desolation" at NASM. Plus, a couple years or so before that, he was signing, again for free, mail order copies of his then newly published children's book, Reaching for the Moon.

So I wouldn't label Buzz as greedy. It's just business.

alanh_7Member

Posts: 889From: Ajax, Ontario, CanadaRegistered: Apr 2008

posted 02-18-2013 10:19 AM
2008 Buzz came to Toronto for a signing in which 240 bucks got you an autographed photo (they provided the photo) a photo op of you and Buzz and a one hour lecture. Well worth the price to be sure.

Those seem like the good old days now.

GACspaceguyMember

Posts: 1394From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006

posted 02-18-2013 12:37 PM

quote:Originally posted by cycleroadie:I will chime in on his fee, he was $400 at ASF in November, now he is $500, or $600, that's a very big increase both in number of dollars and the percentage of increase, I know my salary didn't go up 25% or more in the last few months.

I just checked my credit card statement and he charged $500 in November and the 3D was $600. No increases that I can see. Yes they are high but so is the price of a Corvette these days, and I just won't pay that much for a car.

garyd2831Member

Posts: 442From: Syracuse, New York, USARegistered: Oct 2009

posted 02-18-2013 12:57 PM
I guess I will add my 2 cents. While I hate to pay the fees, I do want to thank Dr. (Col ret) Aldrin for still signing.

While Sen (Col ret) Glenn has a policy not to charge and whiles other do, I think it is great that they are still signing to this day. I mean these heroes should be enjoying retirement and not be harassed by us. Yes our tax dollars put them in the spotlight that they can bank on today... so what.

Let's be thankful that we are able to still find plenty of signed material out there at fair prices even when we can't afford their current signing fees.

Let's be thankful for what we have, what we experienced verses all the wants in life. Lord knows, there are a lot of wants that I would like too, but I'm very happy with what I have today.

In the end, autographs are just ink on paper. A dear friend of mine had an apartment fire and lost many possessions with monetary value, but more importantly she lost her pets as well, and some items that had sentimental value. I have spent plenty of money on autographs myself and while I enjoy them they are not so vital to my existence that they are necessary. we are indeed lucky that some sign at all and we are lucky to have access to these extraordinary people. I've complained about Buzz's fee in the past, but what's the point? He's not going to change and why should he? He's getting on in years and he walked on the darn moon for pete's sake, so let's let him do what he wants and say thank you for his service.

garyd2831Member

Posts: 442From: Syracuse, New York, USARegistered: Oct 2009

posted 02-18-2013 04:13 PM
My favorite item in my space collection is my memory and a few simple photos. While my handshake was from across a table and while they will probably never remember me, it was a distinct honor to be wearing my Army officer Class B uniform, and to shake the hands of Col. Aldrin, BG. Collins and Capt. (USN) Bean during their 2009 book signing at the National Air and Space Museum. When these eyes saw them, and Mr. Armstrong and Sen. (Col.) Glenn later that night, my emotions, my excitement and my experience filled my heart with a lifetime of joy. It will outweigh any autograph or material possession I have and I will take that one with me all the way to the end.

Thank these heroes, and let them enjoy their remaining days in peace. I'm sure that is all they are asking for. If you do happen to run into them, just say thank you for your service, and move on. They will greatly appreciate it.

gliderpilotukMember

Posts: 3043From: London, UKRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 02-20-2013 08:11 AM
The really sad part is that I won't get to complete an Armstrong uninscribed copy of First on the Moon. $1500 for Aldrin's completion fee, plus $725 for Collins' completion fee. $2,225, plus the original cost of the book - that's plain ridiculous.

As for all the "hero" talk, consider what Mike Collins said and respect his view: "Heroes abound, but don't count astronauts among them. We worked very hard, we did our jobs to near perfection, but that is what we had been hired to do."